ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - We are coming off the craziest FIBA 3x3 World Cup in history to underline how unpredictable the 21-point game is.
Let's look back at the biggest surprises of the ninth edition.
Mongolia women stun the world
The World Cup will always be remembered for the deeds of the Mongolian women's team, who had never previously gotten out of the pool phase in three previous attempts. Riding a tidal wave of frenzied support, Mongolia played possessed and stormed to the final after a giant-killing run.
Their historic run proved what a team can do when ignited by passionate fans in a game that spans just 10 furious minutes. Anything is possible in 3x3, as this incredible team full of warriors showed.
Spain and Switzerland men's final
Don't lie. You didn't think this would be the men's final. No one did. For the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 2012, the men's gold medal game was played between first-time finalists.
Basketball power Spain always felt like a sleeping giant in men's 3x3, while Switzerland had produced many famous players but they had never clicked into gear as a national team.
This was the tournament when both European countries found their mojo in what should represent a change in fortunes for them. Spain had only twice previously qualified to the World Cup with their last being in 2016, but they made a big statement that they intend to take 3x3 very seriously now.
While insanely talented Switzerland proved they are putting the pieces in place.
Young Germany stun Olympic champs Netherlands and USA
It was probably not really a shock given their talent and the meteoric rise of 3x3 unicorn Fabian Giessmann, who proved he can handle the big stage. It's just a matter of time before he's the very best player on the planet.
Still it's doubtful many had Germany finishing in the final four. Germany made statements after beating Asian champs Australia and powerhouse Belgium in the pool stage, but still were considered underdogs against Paris gold medalist Netherlands in the play-in.
But Giessmann totally dominated big fella Jan Driessen with a game-high 9 points to be the star of stars on the half-court.
They then beat down former champs USA in the quarters before their barnstorming run ended at the hands of Spain.
Germany looked set to reach the podium after bolting out to an early lead against Serbia before losing their composure against the 3x3 masters. Serbia mustered all their experience to survive a major scare, but you just know Germany's time to conquer the world is not far away.
USA women upset by Mongolia
USA failed to bag a medal in a rarity as both their teams exited at the quarters. It was the women's team that was more shocking, with the Americans having owned the competition with a record three titles and they entered as the defending champs.
They had a new-look team filled with phenoms, including Sarah Strong and Mikaylah Williams who proved why they are so hyped. Things were going so well with four straight wins in the pool stage, including over eventual champs Netherlands, before they were stunned by home heroes Mongolia in the quarters.
Cold shooting from beyond the arc proved costly and they were helpless to stop a red-hot Khulan Onolbaatar in what might go down as the biggest upset in World Cup history.
Serbia miss out on final
While it's certainly no shame to win bronze, it was still a surprise to see Serbia not dangling gold around their necks considering they had won six of the first eight events.
This team was trying to match the incredible run of Dusan Bulut's legendary side that claimed a three-peat from 2016-18, but Serbia were overwhelmed by a hot-shooting Switzerland in the semis.
It was strange to see Serbia so rattled considering their foursome double as No.1 Ub (SRB) on the World Tour. They had entered the tournament riding a wave of confidence having won consecutive WT titles.
But the beauty of 3x3 is that things can go awry in a game that lasts just 10 minutes and that's what happened to Serbia against Switzerland in a result that ended their dreams of creating more history.
Powerhouses France and Lithuania struggle
Hopes were high for France and Lithuania, the European powers who both medalled at last year's Olympics. Both teams were littered with stars who have enjoyed title-winning success on this season's World Tour.
Both teams sported proud World Cup records with France having medalled three times previously, while Lithuania won silver at World Cup 2022. But both teams claimed just one win and bowed out early in major disappointments.
Lithuania were not so lethal and ultimately rued heart-breaking losses to Netherlands and Switzerland. No.3 seed France had a similar wretched time and were knocked out by China in an OT classic as their hopes of a first World Cup triumph fizzled away.
Netherlands' drought in the men's draw continues
The all-conquering Netherlands women's team ensured the 3x3 powerhouse had plenty to celebrate at the World Cup.
While they wildly celebrated the gold medal clinching victory of their counterparts, it would have been a bittersweet feeling for the men's team who lost a thriller to young guns Germany in the play-in.
The Paris Olympic gold medallists also were left to rue a 1-point loss to Switzerland early in a campaign that was seemingly doomed from the start.
Excitement machine Worthy de Jong was again spectacular on the big stage, but Olympic gold medal teammate Driessen struggled to make a presence in the paint as the Netherlands' hopes of a first World Cup title - having been runner-up twice before - faded away.
FIBA